The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.
And each year, individuals, entire communities, and various organizations all over the world join to observe World Drug Day to help raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs pose to society.
Drugs are legally banned in most parts of the world, yet its consumption and trade increase every year. Drugs have severe impacts and consequences on the life of the consumers’. Over-dosage can sometimes lead to death and other fatal injuries. Once one falls in the pit hole of drug addiction, it becomes increasingly difficult to retreat. Keeping in mind all such factors, such a day is celebrated on June 26.
Drug Trafficking implies the illegal practice of buying and selling drugs. People involved in the trade remain undercover and engage themselves in the unethical activity of supplying drugs to the willing people. To put such practices on hold and to minimize the consumption of drugs (unless when medically prescribed), the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated.
How we celebrate Anti Drug Day
The day is celebrated all across the world by significant health concerns. People celebrate it in numerous ways, both in public and in private.
The celebrations take various forms. Mostly, health organizations come up with effective policies to curb widespread drug abuse. The United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) launch campaigns every year to gather support against the problem at hand. It also holds various seminars and conferences to convey to people how destructive illicit drug abuse and drug trafficking can prove to be.
In many parts of the globe, such as in Vietnam, Thailand, and Borneo, people take up celebrations in rallies and mass gatherings. Marches are carried out in solidarity of the lives lost in the process and to make everyone aware and alert about the situation.
The celebrations aim to gather more people who are willing to participate in the anti-drug movements in various places. The day is celebrated by non-governmental and private institutions as well.
Importance of Anti Drug Day
June 26 holds immense importance in contemporary society. Every year, several lives are lost owing to uncalled addiction and overdose of unprescribed drugs. Irrespective of the awareness, thousands of youth involve themselves in the practice of drug abuse.
Keeping the rising figures in mind, a day as important as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking holds a lot of significance.
Everyone should come together so that the world can struggle against the veil dedicatedly and wholeheartedly. The motif of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is to create a space wherein everyone can reside free of the addictions and ill effects of substance abuse.
World Drug Day 2022 theme
The theme of this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse is “Share Drug Facts, Save Lives.” The goal, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), is to counteract misconceptions about drugs by disseminating true facts about them, ranging from health dangers and remedies to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care. As a statement of its desire to promote action and cooperation in order to attain the objective of an international society free of drug misuse, the United Nations established the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
